Meeting together for the first time since formally resolving to develop new ways to work together and better enhance their collective framework via formation of an Alliance, the Committees of the Alliance of the Future Harvest Centers of the CGIAR met at the WorldFish Center, May 4-6, in Penang, Malaysia. The Chair of the Committee of Center Board Chairs (CBC), Professor Uzo Mokwunye, emphasized the importance of the ongoing reforms for the CGIAR System and the role of the Centers. He stressed the need for both the CBC and the Alliance Executive (formerly the Center Directors Committee) to actively contribute to these reforms, in order to ensure the CGIAR remained relevant and proactive in meeting the needs of the poor and the hungry by exploring ways to enhance and build upon partnerships (both within and without the CGIAR).

The Alliance’s fresh initiative underway includes developing more effective collaborative decision making processes as the basis for improved cross-Center collaborations. One area for specific action is seen in the substantial progress made on two Sub-Saharan Africa sub-regional Medium Term Plans: one for Eastern and Southern Africa (through close collaborations with ASARECA and SADC/FANR), and a second for West and Central Africa (working in concert with CORAF-WECARD). Under the guidance of the Executive Council, progress is accelerating. A high level consultation with FARA, Sub-Regional Organizations and NARS in Entebbe, Uganda early June, 2005 would take this process further.

Working with the CGIAR Secretariat, the Alliance has engaged in a dialogue with the Private Sector Committee (PSC) to find ways of enhancing closer interactions and the planning and implementation of joint programs with the private sector. During the May meeting, the Alliance approved the “Guidelines for Collaboration with the Private Sector” which will serve as a first step toward more substantive interaction with all Centers. A high level meeting is planned in Washington, D.C. September 29-30, 2005.

Progress was also made on a plant genetic resource policy, as the Centers endorsed a common set of agreements between themselves and the governing body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture (with plans for new Material Transfer Agreements) for the materials held in trust and viewed as global public goods by the Centers. The Committees also approved guiding principles for the development of protection against transgenes in Center collections. The Centers were requested to institute procedures for their specific crops, as warranted. These guidelines can be found here.

The Chair of the Alliance Executive, Dr William Dar, emphasized that the Centers were geared up for the challenges before them and were encouraged by the new opportunities. He said that the Alliance would continue to build upon earlier reforms and respond quickly to the necessary changes, in order for the Centers to enhance their effectiveness and capacity for action in a changing world.